FaultScore report
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1984 Ford Escort with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the electrical system.
27
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 5,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
REAR SAFETY BELT FIT
===
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE
REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE
STALLING
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
FIRES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:THE ALLEGED FIRES RESULT FROMA VARIETY OF CAUSES.FIRE RATE REMAINS ABOUT THE SAME DESPITE MAJORCHANGES WITH 85-1/2 MODELS.IT BELIEVES THAT THE FIRE RATE IS LESS THANINDUSTRY AVERAGE.MFGR REQUEST COPIES OF SPECIFIC FIRE REPORTS FOR TRENDANALYSIS.ANALYSIS:SEVERAL AREAS OF FIRE ORIGIN ARE MENTIONED.ENGINE FIRESALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY LEAKAGE OF FLAMMABLE FLUIDS (OIL, GAS, TRANS FLUID).CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FREQUENTLY CITED AS OVERHEATING.CERTAIN MODELSARE REPORTED AT A GREATER FREQUENCY.EXP TURBO REPORTED MOST OFTEN ON APER UNIT BASIS.STATUS: IR SENT 2/19/88. A...
STALLING
STALLING
SEATBACK FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING FORCE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.FORD INCREASED THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED THE USE OF A MANUALTORQUE TOOL IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1985 PRODUCTION CHANGES. 1...
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXTERNAL CRACKS ABOVE THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER (1984 MODELS) OR ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS SPLITTING (1985 MODELS) COULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Risk: ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULDRESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKE LINE MAY BE POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO AN ENGINE BRACKET. NORMAL ENGINE MOVEMENTS MAY CAUSE THE BRACKET TO RUB AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Engine
ON 1984 MODELS, EXTERNAL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN OIL LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. ON 1985 MODELS, THE ENGINE ROCKER COVER GASKET MAY SPLIT, WHICH COULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. BOTH THESE CONDITIONS CREATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE OIL IGNITING CAUSING AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: ON 1984 MODELS, THE CYLINDER HEADS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF FOUND TO CONTAIN EXTERNAL CRACKS. ON 1985 MODELS, THE ROCKER COVER GASKETS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED UNLESS THEY ARE OF A LATER DESIGN.
Seats And Restraints
THE FORWARD SCREW WHICH PROVIDES PART OF THE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER`S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME COULD FRACTURE AND PERMIT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK TO PIVOT REARWARD. SUCH A CONDITION COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: NEW DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION ATTACHMENT SCREWS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
VEHICLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBES AND A BRACKET MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE BRACKET COULD CONTACT THE METAL BRAKE TUBE AND RESULT IN ABRASION OF THE TUBE WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIAL BRAKE LOSS. THIS WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
THE FRONT SLEEVE BUSHINGS OF THE COOLING FAN MOTORS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN AREAS OF HIGH ROAD SALT USE. THIS MAY INCREASE THE ROTATIONAL FRICTION OF THE FAN MOTOR OR RESULT IN SEIZURE OF THE ARMATURE SHAFT TO THE BUSHING. EITHER CONDITION MAY DRAW CURRENT IN EXCESS OF THAT OF A NORMALLY OPERATING MOTOR BUT LESS THAN REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE FUSE LINK. THIS COULD OVERHEAT THE MOTOR WIRING CIRCUITRY AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD OR INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE. VEHICLES AFFECTED: CARS NOT EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY AIR CONDITIONING. QUEBEC AND ATLANTIC PROVINCES ONLY.
THE UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT D-RING WHICH ATTACHES THE SHOULDER BELT TO THE B PILLAR, UNDER CERTAIN TEST CONDITIONS, SEPARATED FROM ITS ANCHORAGE, AND MAY NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 210 - BELT ANCHORAGE.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #505692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #986412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, TRIED TO RESTART AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED, UNDER THE HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED THERE WAS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE CARBONATED UP. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE SEAT BELT BROKE, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS NEVER INFORMED.
NHTSA complaint #10009644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
VACUUM PUMP (BRAKES) HOUSING IS BROKEN AND PUMP DOES NOT WORK. CONTACTED FORD IN SEPT 2001 BUT HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS IN THEM HELPING TO LOCATE THIS PART. NO SALVAGE YARD OR AUTO PARTS STORE HAS IT. CAR IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BUT IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH BRAKES IN THIS CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10002682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUTWARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE IGNITION. WHEN THE TFI OVERHEATED IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT CONNECT. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE AND WILL NOT GO UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUTWARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE IGNITION. WHEN THE TFI OVERHEATED IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT CONNECT. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE AND WILL NOT GO UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NHTSA RECALL# 09V095000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 89S66. CONSUMER GOT A RECALL NOTICE ON VEHICLE, AND DEALER DIDN'T HAVE PARTS. ALSO, DEALER WILL PUT ANOTHER ENGINE IN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, BUT CONSUMER HAD TO PAY 1300.00 OUT OF POCKET FOR EXHAUST THAT GOES WITH ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #895921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RECALL 89V095000; ENGINE GASKETS; WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED GILBERT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO KENDALL MOTORS. KENDALL MOTORS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THER WAS NO PROBLEM. NOW THER IS A LEAKAGE COMING AND CAUSED BY THE RECALLED PART AND KENDALL MOTORS WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #816851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #505692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #986412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #983965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #983965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, TRIED TO RESTART AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED, UNDER THE HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAR AN IT DIED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #982927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAR AN IT DIED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #982927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MECHANISM HAS FAILED, DIFFICULT TO LATCH SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #980380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MECHANISM HAS FAILED, DIFFICULT TO LATCH SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #980380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE FIRE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #979471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE FIRE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #979471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRACKED ENGINE GASKET PRIOR TO RECALL (89V-095).
NHTSA complaint #484033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE, 2ND VEHICLE FROM 489423.
NHTSA complaint #479626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #481987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC SLEEVE COVERING FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED, BROKEN PIECES FELL IN THE LATCHING MECHANISM. TT
NHTSA complaint #965711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.